31 for 21: Oxidative Stress & Down Syndrome

Well, 31 for 21 is coming to a close. I didn't get nearly as many "in-depth" posts up as I may have liked. So, I'll just have to work on that over the next few months :).

Today, I wanted to share a study that came across a DS listserv the other day on Oxidative Stress and Down syndrome.

Oxidative Stress and Down Syndrome: A Route toward Alzheimer-Like Dementia

You can view the full text of the report here.

I wanted to point out a few quotes from the conclusion.

It's already a well established fact that there is increased oxidative stress in Down syndrome, just like this points out.

"Within the context of the reported findings discussed above, we hypothesize that trisomy affects gene/protein expression that results in increased OS conditions and impaired mitochondrial function. These alterations occur early in DS as demonstrated by studies performed on fetal brain and amniotic fluid from DS pregnancy and play an important  role in neurodegeneration."

This is true below and a lot of people may not realize it. It's not just that the overexpression of SOD1 causes increased oxidative stress. It also reduces levels of agents that would counter act that oxidative stress and lowers the antioxidant enzymes.

"OS conditions arise not only from overexpression of SOD1 but also as a consequence of low levels of reducing agents and antioxidant enzymes."

Just thought this was an interesting statement:

"It is now well accepted that OS contribute to neurodegeneration, but in the case of DS and AD, genetic similarities, due to the fact that some of the genes responsible for familial form of AD are encoded by Chr21, provide an interesting field of research for the comprehension of many yet unsolved issues."

This is exactly why targeted nutritional intervention is so entirely important for individuals with DS. We have to combat the low antioxidant levels in DS with plenty of antioxidants!

"Based on this notion, it is possible that using antioxidant nutrients to scavenge oxygen-derived free radicals may modulate some of the complications of DS. "

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